IMO 1977 · Problem 1

Equilateral triangles \(ABK, BCL, CDM, DAN\) are constructed inside the square \(ABCD\). Prove that the midpoints of the four segments \(KL, LM, MN, NK\) and the midpoints of the eight segments \(AKBK, BL, CL, CM, DM, DN, AN\) are the twelve vertices of a regular dodecagon.

Official text of the problem. Official problem paper (PDF)

Solution

The printed \(AKBK\) is understood as the two segments \(AK, BK\).

A similarity preserves midpoints and regularity, so we may choose coordinates \[ A=(-1,-1),\quad B=(1,-1),\quad C=(1,1),\quad D=(-1,1). \] Let \(O=(0,0)\), and put \[ t=\sqrt3-1,\qquad u=2-\sqrt3. \] Both \(t\) and \(u\) are positive. Since an equilateral triangle of side length \(2\) has altitude \(\sqrt3\), the inward vertices are \[ K=(0,t),\quad L=(-t,0),\quad M=(0,-t),\quad N=(t,0). \]

The midpoints of \(KL,LM,MN,NK\) are \[ \left(\pm\frac t2,\pm\frac t2\right). \] Using \(t-1=-u\), the midpoints of the other eight segments are \[ \left(\pm\frac12,\pm\frac u2\right), \qquad \left(\pm\frac u2,\pm\frac12\right). \] Here the two signs in each coordinate pair are chosen independently.

Now \[ t^2=2u,\qquad 1+u^2=4u. \] Thus every listed point has squared distance from \(O\) equal to \[ \frac{t^2}{2}=\frac{1+u^2}{4}=u. \] They therefore lie on the circle with centre \(O\) and radius \(\sqrt u>0\).

The three listed points in the first quadrant are \[ P=\left(\frac12,\frac u2\right),\qquad Q=\left(\frac t2,\frac t2\right),\qquad R=\left(\frac u2,\frac12\right). \] The identity \[ \tan 15^\circ =\tan(45^\circ-30^\circ) =\frac{1-1/\sqrt3}{1+1/\sqrt3} =2-\sqrt3=u \] shows that \(OP\) makes an angle of \(15^\circ\) with the positive horizontal axis. The corresponding angles for \(OQ\) and \(OR\) are \(45^\circ\) and \(75^\circ\), respectively.

The full set of listed coordinates is invariant under rotation through \(90^\circ\) about \(O\). Consequently its points have precisely the polar angles \[ 15^\circ+30^\circ j,\qquad j=0,1,\ldots,11. \] These are twelve distinct points on one circle, with consecutive central angles all equal to \(30^\circ\). Hence they are the vertices of a regular dodecagon. \(\square\)

The solution was checked against John Scholes' IMO solution archive (Kalva).